The elaborate raised-bed garden built by Meals on Wheels supporters earlier this year is running a little dry right now thanks to a handful of vegetable thieves.

The garden, which is located on New Jersey Avenue on land donated by Wisconsin Public Service, was built this spring by supporters and volunteers so the agency could grow its own ingredients for the meals it serves to homebound and disabled adults in Sheboygan County.

On Sunday, someone drove onto the property and helped themselves, relieving Meals on Wheels of a "disturbing" amount of produce, said Executive Director Kelly Heyn.

"The fact that we're using the food to feed the elderly, homebound and disabled … to steal that is just mind-boggling," Heyn said. "So many people have given so much of their time, energy and resources, and then to have somebody do something like this is really dispiriting."

A WPS employee driving by saw the theft taking place, Heyn said. That person alerted Meals on Wheels staff, who called police.

The Sheboygan Police Department is investigating, Heyn said.

Heyn said police have now advised her to install an 8-foot fence around the perimeter, which will cost around $11,000, as well as a solar-powered light because there is no electricity at the site.

"I don't even have a quote on that yet," Heyn said. "I don't have 11 cents lying around under the couch cushions. We will need to raise the dollars very quickly."

Heyn said that when the garden was being planned, critics warned that deer would take a big bite out of the bounty.

"We haven't lost one plant to animals," she said. "It took people for us to have our first loss. This is the lushest, most beautiful garden. We've been so blessed — until now."